Fence-wire fastener



(No Model.)

H. B. SWARTZ. FENGE WIRE F-ASTENER.

Patented Mar. 12, 1895.

NITED STATES ATEN'I Fries.

HIRAM B. SW'ARTZ, OFWOOSTER, OHIO.

FENCE-WIRE FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,637, dated March12, 1895.

Application filed May 11, 1894:. Serial No. (N0 model- T0 aZZ whom itmay concern:

Beit known that I, HIRAM B. SWARTZ, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wooster, in the county of Wayne and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Fence-fire Fastener, of which the following isa specifi cation.

My invention relates to wire fences and especially to devices forsecuring the wires thereof. It is applied directly to the post at anypoint of intersection of a wire therewith and its object is to clasp thewire in such a manner as to secure the same to the post and also admitof any desired tension of the wire and hold it taut thereat or releaseit entirely as may be desired. Having this object in view it consists ofcertain features of construction hereinafter specified and particularlypointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1. is a side view showing verticalsections of fence posts,the fence wire passing across the same and myimproved fastener secured thereto, and holding the wire taut. Fig. 2. isa detached face View of my improved fastener, clasping the fence wire.Fig. 3. is a side view of the same relaxed.

In the drawings similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

A. B. are separate members'which are pivoted together at or near theirlongitudinal centers, b, to form a knuckle or toggle joint. The member Ais recessed beyond the pivot to receive the extended jaw, c, of themember B, which, when the hinge joint is straightened, impinges closelyupon the opposite jaw, d, formed by the said recess, and thereby securesthe wire between the ends of the said opposite jaws as shown, with thepower of the toggle joint pressure, when the fastener is straightened byforce of, the wire acting against the same and the post on which itrests. It is apparent that the more taut the wire is stretched the morestrongly the jaws of the toggle joint are drawn together to bite uponthe fence wire and thereby secure the same against relaxation, and it isalso apparent that the wire may be released at will, by simply openingthe jaws of the fastener. To

prevent the jaws from coming together so closely as to bite off the wireby the toggle joint pressure, slight elevations or cars, e, are formedupon the jaw, c, to bear against the opposite member when the joint isstraightened against the post. An opening, f, for nail or screw,provides for securing the fastener against the post if desired, but thisis in general not necessary.

The wire fastener may be placed either in line with the post orcrosswise as preferred.

The fence wires may be drawn either through holes bored in the post toreceive the same, or along the side of the post, with or without gainscut therein.

The members A. and B. being made separable, it is apparent that thefastener may be placed upon the wire at any pointafter the wire is drawntaut, thus securing the same at intermediate as well as at terminalposts of a fence so as to permit passageways to be cut through the fenceat any desired locality.

The peculiar feature of my invention being the hinged union of the twomembers composing the fastener, said members being fitted to clamp thewire, passing between their impinging parts at or near the hinge joint,it is apparent the form of the fastener may be varied to any degree andextent within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic without materialdeparture, so long as this feature is used. Therefore I do not limit myinvention to the precise details of construction herein shown anddescribed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The combinationwith the bifurcated member A provided with a transverse bend or recess,and with a contact surface or jaw d, of a member B pivotally secured tothe member A by means of lugs b, and provided with a jaw c and laterallyprojecting stops 6, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HIRAM B. SWARTZ.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL D. OoULrEB, ANNA M. GRATLER.

